I was hoping you could help me. I want to be able to connect SECU16IR zones out to a Xantech Connecting Block. I know this used to be done by the use of a Smarthome IR-Linc that would optically isolate the SECU16IR output from the Xantech Connecting Block input. Unfortunately I can no longer find the Smarthome IR-Linc for sale.
Do you know of another device that I can buy that would accomplish the same thing the Smarthome IR-Linc did?
#22911 - 02/09/1205:46 PMRe: SECU16IR Output Connecting To A Xantech Connecting Block
[Re: Jean-Marie]
Guy LavoieGuy Lavoie
Beyond All Hope
Registered: 12/21/02
Posts: 6421
Loc: Montreal, QC, Canada
Are you into building simple electronics projects? There is a way to build a simple circuit (one transistor and a few resistors) to interface a SECU16IR output to a Xantech connecting block.
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"If you don't know what you're doing, do it neatly..."
Sure I can do that... but I thought I would need to optically isolate the SECU16IR and the Xantech connecting block? Doesn't that require a few more electronics components?
#22913 - 02/09/1206:26 PMRe: SECU16IR Output Connecting To A Xantech Connecting Block
[Re: Jean-Marie]
Guy LavoieGuy Lavoie
Beyond All Hope
Registered: 12/21/02
Posts: 6421
Loc: Montreal, QC, Canada
Optical isolation isn't necessary if the Ocelot/SECU16IR, or the Xantech system is on a floating power supply. Others have used the circuit before without a problem. I'll try and find the schematic tomorrow.
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"If you don't know what you're doing, do it neatly..."
#22916 - 02/10/1204:15 AMRe: SECU16IR Output Connecting To A Xantech Connecting Block
[Re: Jean-Marie]
Guy LavoieGuy Lavoie
Beyond All Hope
Registered: 12/21/02
Posts: 6421
Loc: Montreal, QC, Canada
A power supply that is not grounded, like most "wall wart" type supplies that have only 2 prongs going into the outlet. The Xantech system is very likely like that.
I found my old "ascii art" schematics for the SECU16IR to Xantech and also Ocelot output to Xantech circuits:
Code:
SECI16IR to Xantech:
|----------------o to Xantech +12v
|
|
/ E
SECU16IR 1k |
IR out ----------mwmw----| 2N3906 (PNP)
(ring) B|
note: \ --mwmw---|>|----o to Xantech input
tip not used |C 470 1N914
| diode
>
< 1k
>
|
o--------------------------|----------------o to Xantech common
SECU16IR
IR input (ring)
used for ground refernce
Ocelot/Leopard IR out to Xantech:
|------------|----------------o to Xantech +12v
| |
> |
< 1k / E
> 1k |
Ocelot |--mwmw----| 2N3906 (PNP)
IR out /C B|
(tip) B | \ --mwmw---|>|----o to Xantech input
o---mwmw----| 2N3904 |C 470 1N914
2.2k | (NPN) | diode
\ >
|E < 1k
| >
| |
o------------|-------------|----------------o to Xantech common
Ocelot
IR out (ring)
The thing about using only the ring on the SECU16IR outputs is that the ring connects to an open collector output (pulling down to ground) in the module, while the tip connects to a pullup resistor that goes to 12 volts internally (which we don't use here). This external circuit inverts the signal because the Xantech signal is positive going instead. The ground reference for the SECU16IR's output is taken from the ring of its otherwise unused input jack.
_________________________
"If you don't know what you're doing, do it neatly..."
#22918 - 02/10/1205:49 AMRe: SECU16IR Output Connecting To A Xantech Connecting Block
[Re: Jean-Marie]
Guy LavoieGuy Lavoie
Beyond All Hope
Registered: 12/21/02
Posts: 6421
Loc: Montreal, QC, Canada
Yes, although the common must already be connected internally on the 7 inputs of the Xantech connecting block (as must be the +12 volts too), hence the name "common".
Doesn't the connecting block simply mix all the inputs together? I'm trying to figure out why you're connecting 7 separate SECU16IR outputs to a block that mixes them all together (and not just sending all the signals to one output)?
_________________________
"If you don't know what you're doing, do it neatly..."
Model: Xantech 79520 Four Zone Model: Xantech 79620 6 Zone Connecting Block Expander
Together I get a total of 9 true zones.
The blocks have both zoned and common emitters. When an iinput is sent to a zone, there are two emitters on that zone that get the signal and all common emitters also get that signal. The the emitters of other zones DO NOT get the signal.
I want the Secu16IR zone 1 to connect to "Zone 1" of the Xantech so that only the emitters of Zone 1 on the Xantech get the signal and no other zoned emitters on the Xantech Receive it. The same is true for zones 2 - 7.
#22920 - 02/10/1206:14 AMRe: SECU16IR Output Connecting To A Xantech Connecting Block
[Re: Jean-Marie]
Guy LavoieGuy Lavoie
Beyond All Hope
Registered: 12/21/02
Posts: 6421
Loc: Montreal, QC, Canada
Yes it does. As you can tell, I'm not very familiar with Xantech devices and your explanation tells me there are more possibilities then I thought. They must be using diodes to mix the zoned inputs for the common emitter outputs.
If you have a multimeter, just check that the commons on the connecting block are indeed connected together. It would not make any sense that they wouldn't be since they are normally used for power as well as signal common.
_________________________
"If you don't know what you're doing, do it neatly..."
